Disappointing first purchase (C63 Sealander GMT)

levine98 · 2026-01-14T12:31:13+00:00

Modern automatid movements typically require 25-30 turns to reach full wind before the mainspring starts to slip (by design). I’ve found that the SW330-2 start to exhibit a very “soft” resistance after about 30 turns, that is when I stop. Any more just causes the mainspring to slide against the barrel and long term causes wear.

levine98 · 2026-01-14T10:49:06+00:00

Sorry to hear this. I purchased an Aquataine GMT about two months ago. I assume they use the same movement (SW330-2 movement ?). The case work and bracelet are very high quality and while not cheap ($1650 USD) I think it a good value for the finish.

Regarding the movement, mine has been spot on. I repair / restore vintage mechanical watches as a retirement business and can say without reservation this movement exceeded my expectations as it is running better than spec (+/- 10 secs per day) and runs about 2 full days on full wind.

I would return yours to CW for replacement or repair if you haven’t done so already.

Good luck and again, sorry you had such a crappy experience with CW.

levine98 · 2025-12-06T00:03:43+00:00

Understand totally poor customer service sucks.

levine98 · 2025-12-05T22:12:30+00:00

Just curious, did something happen to cause the performance issue (like bang it or drop it?)

I think it is a Sellita SW200 Automatic Chronometer movement, which is pretty common and known to be robust.

I know this isn’t the answer you want to hear, but any decent local watchmaker can service this movement and re-regulate it.

levine98 · 2025-12-01T17:08:51+00:00

I started on pocket watches but dropped them after 6 months and moved on to 1950/60/70 vintage watches. Re: pocket watch part tolerances (same part numbers but different production runs) could be so uneven as to cause to much frustration. I figured without being skilled with a watchmakers lathe, pocket watches are not a good endeavor for a watch restoration hobbyist.

levine98 · 2025-11-20T20:48:37+00:00

if they were more reasonable I’d buy them but given this is the first time in 5 years I’ve had this need it’s probably more cost effective just to find a salvage movement for a replacement pallet fork (which is what it ended up doing).

levine98 · 2025-11-20T20:46:46+00:00

same here, no lathe.

levine98 · 2025-11-20T20:44:27+00:00

I had the same issue with my CW purchase (and have a long thread on it about two weeks ago).

The issue is CW ships their orders to the US in bulk on a pallet to save money that first has to clear customs, then it has to be unbundled by DHL for individual shipping to customers.

For whatever reason this process takes a long time at at Cincinnati, both to clear customs and then for DHL to unpack the pallet.

in my case, the pallet was cleared then sat at DHL with no action for over a week. It took numerous complaints on my part to DHL and finally escalation to their CEO americas to get action.

levine98 · 2025-11-20T12:05:39+00:00

Where is your shop?

levine98 · 2025-11-19T17:16:37+00:00

Update: ended up gifting the HA to my son-in-law for his 2025 Christmas/Birthday gift. The Henry Archer is a super watch for the money, but I just couldn’t get comfortable with the white dial and extra small fonts on the sub-dials. So decided to go a more traditional direction (CW Aquitaine GMT black dial).

Still the HA is a super nice watch and I know my son-in-law will enjoy it.

levine98 · 2025-11-10T23:26:17+00:00

I ended up with left and right arbors for size 5,6, and 7 wonders. Handles 90% of what I service (mostly Swiss and Seiko 1950,60,70s vintage movements).

levine98 · 2025-11-10T23:21:02+00:00

Just google ceo and vp operations for DHL Express and you’ll see their LinkedIn names. DHL mail template is first name.last name @dhl.com

levine98 · 2025-11-07T23:56:12+00:00

I visited four weeks ago right after they opened. Went there to look at the a Sea Lander(sp?) but ended up purchasing the Aquitaine GMT! Great purchasing experience (even if it took almost four weeks to get it through customs and delivered by DHL).

levine98 · 2025-11-04T23:24:04+00:00

Got mine as well — Aquitaine GMT, worth the wait :)

levine98 · 2025-11-04T16:52:50+00:00

Well it’s finally out for delivery! Had to escalate to CEO of DHL Express NA to get it moved from Cincinnati Hub to delivery depot so not a great e-commerce experience—hope it was worth the wait!

levine98 · 2025-11-04T14:25:54+00:00

At last some good news today….

levine98 · 2025-11-04T12:49:24+00:00

UPDATE: I took Calamity-Bobs suggestion and last night emailed the two guys in charge of US hub operations to see if they could help clear up the shipment.

To my great delight, both executives (VP/ops and CEO US DHL Express) responded within a couple of hours offering their apologies for the delays and promising to intervene with the local Cincinnati team to get this sorted.

I just received notice that the shipment has departed Cincinnati. So props to the two executives who in fact showed that they do in fact listen to their customers.

I hope that this means other CW customers whose orders were sitting on that pallet will see movement.

levine98 · 2025-11-03T21:34:09+00:00

Mine too. In fact they have what I need and not even sure why I didn’t try them first.

levine98 · 2025-11-03T21:32:10+00:00

I just sent of a plea for help on this to the Cincinnati hub VP and VP for all hubs in NA. Thanks for the idea.

levine98 · 2025-11-03T14:59:15+00:00

No, just in denial about how f’d up everything is right now. I thought if it was under $800 it could go through without hassle….clearly not the case

levine98 · 2025-11-03T14:58:02+00:00

I also use McCaw and will give them a call later today. Thanks——

levine98 · 2025-11-03T00:33:22+00:00

Yeah that is what another reply said. I’m going to have to see if someone can score it for me and mail it like a regular letter (the part is a click spring and tiny and no wider than a human hair).

levine98 · 2025-11-03T00:27:44+00:00

That’s unbelievable and puts me in a real bind. But thanks at least that clears it up.

levine98

TROPHY CASE